iPhone Siri totally ERASED from my iPhone4S.. HELPPP! (Due to old Backup)

[rayfaris]

Siri is no longer working on my iPhone 4S. Worked fine for the last few months. When I press the main button, I get voice control instead. I didn't do anything (that I'm aware of) that would have triggered this change. Here's what I have tried so far:

- Siri no longer appears in settings > general.

- Siri does appear under settings > restrictions, but the switch is toggled "off" and cannot be moved (it's grayed out).

- I have done a settings reset from the iPhone

- I have done a full restore from iTunes (with backup)

- My keyboard and language are both set to US English

Help! I've exhausted all similar posts on forums without success.
Any iPhone 4S wizards with something new that I can try?

Did you go into Settings -> General -> Siri and turn it on? YES I HAVE DEFINITELY LOOKED FOR THIS..

Please help me, I'm desperate in getting my Siri back!

Thanks!

 

[r.j.s]

Are any type of restriction/parental controls on?

 

[MaxBurn]

Time to try a restore as new, without the backup.

 

[MonkeySee....]

- Siri does appear under settings > restrictions, but the switch is toggled "off" and cannot be moved (it's grayed out).

Can you or have you "Enable Restrictions". Can you post a a screen shot of what you are looking at in this section?

 

[ixodes]

Siri is well trained by Apple to take over completely.

 

[rayfaris]

Changes to 1st post & Screen Capture of my iPhone 4S

A few changes as shown below, the rest are still applicable to the first post..

Siri is no longer working on my iPhone 4S. Worked fine for the last few months. When I press the main button, I get voice control instead. I didn't do anything (that I'm aware of) that would have triggered this change. Here's what I have tried so far:

- Siri no longer appears in settings > general.

(Change to first post) - Siri does NOT appear under settings > restrictions, but the switch is toggled "off" and cannot be moved (no where to be found).

I've attached screen capture pics and also a link to my screen capture video of my iPhone 4S to show you guys that it's an iPhone 4S with NO SIRI .

http://youtu.be/Zb0YFoS6pZ0
(On the sidenote, do comment on my theme.. )

 

[blueroom]

Your jailbreak is the most likely cause. Does the problem persist sans jailbreak?

I wish folks would say they jailbroke their gear when asking advice.

 

[rayfaris]

Are any type of restriction/parental controls on?

All OFF! As shown in the screen capture thumbnails.. What do I do next?

 

[blueroom]

All OFF! As shown in the screen capture thumbnails.. What do I do next?

DFU restore and avoid the jailbreak.

 

[rayfaris]

Time to try a restore as new, without the backup.

Oh really? I think this is the last resort, if I can't find any other solution. But thanks, I'll keep this option open.

 

[rdowty]

Siri took my car without permission and ran over my dog!

 

[Comeagain?]

Or try removing the theme, and make sure that isn't keeping Siri from showing in Settings.

 

[rayfaris]

Your jailbreak is the most likely cause. Does the problem persist sans jailbreak?

I wish folks would say they jailbroke their gear when asking advice.

I apologize, should have mentioned earlier that I Jailbroke.. Anyway, actually no, I know and remember clearly that I could use my Siri AFTER Jailbreak. It's gone after some Backup/ restore which I did. Now the files of the first ever backup are gone.. Hmmm.

 

[rayfaris]

Or try removing the theme, and make sure that isn't keeping Siri from showing in Settings.

I've tried your suggestion in removing the theme, and then checked the settings for Siri, but to no avail. I know the theme isn't the problem as I have used Siri with this current them before. It got lost after some restore I did. Now I can't find that backup file..

----------

DFU restore and avoid the jailbreak.

Hmm, is it possible the reason that my Siri is gone is due to the fact it cloned itself as my ex phone, iPhone 3GS, because I restored to it. And not because of the jailbreak? (Any peeps with Jailbroken iPhone 4S-es that have SIRI?)

Do appreciate your suggestions Blueroom! But I CAN'T live without a Jailbroken phone. Haha it's just more convenient for me. Will look into more options in the attempt of finding that long lost Siri of mine.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

It's your jailbreak. Restore (Siri will work at this point) and jailbreak again. If Siri goes 'off' again, than restore a second time and don't jailbreak again (that is, if Siri is important to you).

 

[rayfaris]

It's your jailbreak. Restore (Siri will work at this point) and jailbreak again. If Siri goes 'off' again, than restore a second time and don't jailbreak again (that is, if Siri is important to you).

Hmm restore meaning to a completely new phone, or restore to the earliest backup file I have?
I think it's like this cause my firmware is still at iOS 5.0.1 an I didn't upgrade to 5.1. Do you think so?

 

[M5RahuL]

Hmm, is it possible the reason that my Siri is gone is due to the fact it cloned itself as my ex phone, iPhone 3GS, because I restored to it.

There's your problem!

 

[Night Spring]

Jailbreak tweaks have a way of causing unexpected results. I remember one springboard tweak that caused things to disappear from the Settings app -- it was like there was no apparent relationship between the two things, but sure enough, uninstall tweak, settings return to normal. Reinstall tweak, settings disappear again.

So you must have installed something that is causing Siri to disappear. If you remember what tweaks you have installed recently and in what order, you could try uninstalling them in reverse order and see if that fixes your problem. If not, then you have to restore, set up as new (restoring from backup could copy back the files/settings that are causing the problem), then carefully reinstall jailbreak apps and tweaks one by one and check that Siri is still working after you install each one. If you are lucky, you may be able to identify the culpit. If not, you will have a functioning device and the great unsolved mystery of The Day Siri Stopped Working.

 

[rayfaris]

There's your problem!

This might be the problem hmmm. After much analysis/ reading on similar posts elsewhere and extensive research, I've narrowed down into 3 possible reasons that made my Siri disappear.

1) This cloning of my iPhone 3GS
2) One of my Jailbreak Tweaks
3) Siri just decided to ****ing play ****ing hide and ****ing seek with me.. (Haha sorry for the vulgar language, but the fact of not having Siri just annoys me, and the fact I just ****ing love my phone the way it is)

M5Rahul, do you own a Jailbroken iPhone 4S too and still have Siri? If yes, then probably my problem is No.1

 

[Night Spring]

This might be the problem hmmm. After much analysis/ reading on similar posts elsewhere and extensive research, I've narrowed down into 3 possible reasons that made my Siri disappear.

1) This cloning of my iPhone 3GS
2) One of my Jailbreak Tweaks
3) Siri just decided to ****ing play ****ing hide and ****ing seek with me.. (Haha sorry for the vulgar language, but the fact of not having Siri just annoys me, and the fact I just ****ing love my phone the way it is)

M5Rahul, do you own a Jailbroken iPhone 4S too and still have Siri? If yes, then probably my problem is No.1

Just because another poster also has a jailbroken 4S, doesn't mean they have installed all the same tweaks as you, so no, there's no way to disprove possibility 2 unless someone has a jailbroken 4S with all the same tweaks as you. For your reference, I have a jailbroken 4S and Siri is working fine.

As for possiblity 1, I doubt it, because people restore from backups of older devices all the time -- it's designed to work that way. If restoring from a backup of a 3GS or even the original iPhone stopped Siri from working, we'll be hearing a lot more about this problem.

 

[rayfaris]

Jailbreak tweaks have a way of causing unexpected results. I remember one springboard tweak that caused things to disappear from the Settings app -- it was like there was no apparent relationship between the two things, but sure enough, uninstall tweak, settings return to normal. Reinstall tweak, settings disappear again.

So you must have installed something that is causing Siri to disappear. If you remember what tweaks you have installed recently and in what order, you could try uninstalling them in reverse order and see if that fixes your problem. If not, then you have to restore, set up as new (restoring from backup could copy back the files/settings that are causing the problem), then carefully reinstall jailbreak apps and tweaks one by one and check that Siri is still working after you install each one. If you are lucky, you may be able to identify the culpit.

This is a very detailed explanation. I LIKE THIS! I've been browsing my cydia tweaks and for a couple of times trying to find that tweak that made my Siri disappear mysteriously.. But I can't seem to remember which tweaks I installed first hmmm.

Okay let's say I do a restoration into a new Phone, how can I get back all my files, music, contacts, original apple apps, and saved conversations and not restoring a backup that could copy back the files/settings that are causing the problem. (I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but to summarize, have back everything except jailbroken apps/ tweaks after a new phone restoration)

If not, you will have a functioning device and the great unsolved mystery of The Day Siri Stopped Working

SPOT ON! This is what really really annoys me.. To me, my phone with the jailbreak tweaks/ apps is ze best thing in the world. If only Siri is there and not mysteriously vanished from the face of the earth, it would be the most perfect phone to me.. You feel me? Hahaha!

Really appreciate it Night Spring! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation, I'm still open to more opinions. But I really think I'm going down that New Phone Restoration Road.. Sad much. *sigh*

 

[rocknblogger]

This is a very detailed explanation. I LIKE THIS! I've been browsing my cydia tweaks and for a couple of times trying to find that tweak that made my Siri disappear mysteriously.. But I can't seem to remember which tweaks I installed first hmmm.

Okay let's say I do a restoration into a new Phone, how can I get back all my files, music, contacts, original apple apps, and saved conversations and not restoring a backup that could copy back the files/settings that are causing the problem. (I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but to summarize, have back everything except jailbroken apps/ tweaks after a new phone restoration)



SPOT ON! This is what really really annoys me.. To me, my phone with the jailbreak tweaks/ apps is ze best thing in the world. If only Siri is there and not mysteriously vanished from the face of the earth, it would be the most perfect phone to me.. You feel me? Hahaha!

Really appreciate it Night Spring! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation, I'm still open to more opinions. But I really think I'm going down that New Phone Restoration Road.. Sad much. *sigh*

You mentioned that you restored or tried to clone your 3GS. If that is the case then that is the most likely reason SIRI is not working.
You cannot under any circumstances restore an earlier version backup to a newer phone.

If you have all of your contacts, photos, emails etc, backed up to iCloud you should be able to restore them after you restore your iPhone to fresh clean 5.1.1. You can also buy pkgbackup on Cydia and create backups of your texts, address book, Cydia tweak settings and some other things I can't remember at the moment.

However, read everything you can find about pkgbackup. It's an excellent app but you must understand it very well before using it.

Good luck!!

 

[BumpyFlatline]

I have a 4S on 5.1.1 and I've installed just about everything at one point or another and I have never once had Siri completely disappear from my phone. I have no doubt in my mind the problem was caused by using a backup from your old 3GS. If Siri disappeared because of a faulty cydia tweak, you probably would have figured out the culprit and had this issue resolved. You've clearly tried many things. I'm 99% sure it's a result of using the 3GS backup. Do you have a 4S backup that is newer than the 3GS backup? Maye you could restore to that?

Although I'm not gonna lie, I have never restored from a backup. I always restore as new and that is my advice to you. Backup up your contacts, texts, notes, calendar, etc (whatever is important to you) and also your app store app data via AppBackup. After that you should restore as new and put all your data back on your phone.

 

[Night Spring]

This is a very detailed explanation. I LIKE THIS! I've been browsing my cydia tweaks and for a couple of times trying to find that tweak that made my Siri disappear mysteriously.. But I can't seem to remember which tweaks I installed first hmmm.

Okay let's say I do a restoration into a new Phone, how can I get back all my files, music, contacts, original apple apps, and saved conversations and not restoring a backup that could copy back the files/settings that are causing the problem. (I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but to summarize, have back everything except jailbroken apps/ tweaks after a new phone restoration)



SPOT ON! This is what really really annoys me.. To me, my phone with the jailbreak tweaks/ apps is ze best thing in the world. If only Siri is there and not mysteriously vanished from the face of the earth, it would be the most perfect phone to me.. You feel me? Hahaha!

Really appreciate it Night Spring! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation, I'm still open to more opinions. But I really think I'm going down that New Phone Restoration Road.. Sad much. *sigh*

Glad my explanation has been of some help. Unfortunately I have to leave soon and don't have time to give you more help at the moment. Hopefully someone else will be along to help, and I'll check back later to see how things are. But basically, there are ways to backup music, contacts, etc outside of your iPhone, the apps you can always redownload from the app store (minus any app data you had, unfortunately), saved conversations, I believe there was a way to save them and restore if you rejailbreak your device, but I've never done it myself.

To sum up, you'll get most, but not all, of your stuff back, and it'll take a lot of time and work. This is the risk of jailbreaking, and why I think Apple is wise to keep iOS locked down. I enjoy playing around with tweaks when I have the time, but when I don't have the time, and I just want my phone to work, it can be a nightmare if something goes wrong like this.

 

[M5RahuL]

...

M5Rahul, do you own a Jailbroken iPhone 4S too and still have Siri? If yes, then probably my problem is No.1

Yes I do.. but like others have said, I may not have the same Cydia apps/tweaks as you. For example, I don't have any themes [ or winterboard ] installed!

Siri works wonderfully on mine!